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<p>In our 25 Year Environment Plan, the Government has already set out its policy
of eliminating all avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042, which will include
avoidable single-use plastic waste. In December 2018 we published the Resources and
Waste Strategy, which sets out how we want to achieve this and move towards a circular
economy and keep resources in the system for as long as possible. We know more needs
to be done, and for the most problematic plastics we are going faster - which is why
we have committed to work towards all plastic packaging on the market being recyclable,
reusable, or compostable by 2025.</p><p> </p><p>We have made significant progress
on reducing single-use plastic products. In October 2020, we introduced measures to
restrict the supply of plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers, and plastic-stemmed
cotton buds. The single-use carrier bag charge, which has led to a 95% reduction in
the use of single-use carrier bags by the main supermarkets, has been increased to
10p and extended to all retailers to encourage customers to bring their own bags to
carry shopping and reduce the volumes of single-use plastic being used. We will continue
to review the latest evidence on problematic products and materials to take a systematic
approach to reducing the use of unnecessary single-use plastic products, including
problematic packaging materials. However, we must think carefully about introducing
bans and other policy solutions to avoid unintended consequences, such as a switch
to another single-use material. To note, waste and environmental policy is a devolved
area and therefore devolved administrations are taking their own approach.</p><p>
</p><p>Whilst plastic appears separately in some of our published data sets, we do
not hold statistics for all plastic waste. Plastic waste contained within the residual
waste stream will appear in mixed waste categories.</p><p> </p><p>We do publish information
on the amount of plastic packaging that is recycled. The latest figures are for 2018
and the amount of plastic packaging recycled was 43.8%. From April 2022, plastic packaging
that does not contain at least 30% recycled content will be subject to a tax of £200/tonne.
The tax will provide a clear economic incentive for businesses to use recycled material
in the manufacture of plastic packaging, which will create greater demand for this
material. In turn, this will stimulate increased levels of recycling and collection
of plastic waste, diverting it away from landfill or incineration. Further details
on the development of this tax can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-plastic-packaging-tax-from-april-2022/introduction-of-plastic-packaging-tax-2021"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-plastic-packaging-tax-from-april-2022/introduction-of-plastic-packaging-tax-2021</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government has not made a recent estimate of how the UK compares internationally
regarding plastic production per capita.</p>
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